autozone ball joint questions...
 

Ok so fixing to do my ball joints(upper and lower) on my 01 xj sport, 4x4 Dane 35, dana 30.

My problem/question is when I went to auto zone today to get them there were two different upper ball joints to choose from.

Both are lifetime warrantied. but...

the first one is 103.99 and says its adjustable

from their site

"Ball joint only. Front suspension. Adjustment range 1/2 degree of camber or caster."


the other upper ball joint is 36.99 also lifetime warranty

and includes the same stuff but is fixed?

not exactly sure which on to get not the most knowledgable on ball joints, and apparently neither are any of the workers at my local autozone...


here is a link:

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par.../N-jffs9Z8oxkv

if you want my advice... run as far away from Autozone as you can!

Order online.. if you can wait a few days... and get a quality brand like MOOG...

But as far as caster/camber/toe... here's a good article to explain that to you..

http://yospeed.com/wheel-alignment-e...er-caster-toe/

Shops can measure your alignment along with caster/camber and suggest replacements..

Honestly 90+ percent of people just use regular ball joints unless you have specifically been told by a shop (reputable) that you need adjustable ball joints to battle uneven tire wear/alignment issues etc...

If you must make a local purchase.. go for the non adjustable ones.

Most all of the AutoZone steering parts ARE MOOG some people speak without knowledge. I found this when upgraded the steering tie rods in my XJ went with the ZJ V8 ones 10 times stronger than stock.

There are very few steering component company's and they make most all of them for everyone. I have lost count on the number of AutoZone parts on my XJ and company trucks over the last 15 yrs or so and only one return on a lifetime warranty. When one of our not so bright employees hooked up battery cables backwards and ruined an Alt.

I believe both AZ and Napa are MooG manufactured. I know for a fact NAPA is.

http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.co...Jeep-Wranglers

http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.co...30-And-Dana-44

So those extolling AZ are saying that their ball joints are precisely the same as the ones you get under the Moog name?

Some people speak without knowledge eh?

I really wasnt gearing my post towards a particular brand issue... More along the lines of customer service and knowledge base...

The employees did not even know what they sell..

Since i worked in the retail auto parts industry... And dated an employee of gates who worked the assembly line, poplar bluff missouri... I have quite a bit of "experience"

For example... Gates produces hoses for napa, carquest, ac delco, master pro, ect...

So when you buy a masterpro hose.. It IS a gates hose.. But it is NOT manufactured the same..

That same concept goes into alot of parts...

You are correct... There are a small number of manufacturers... But they DO manufacture with different materials and within different spec

The adjustable ball joint is not usually needed unless you have an issue. They sell this because unlike vehicles with control arms with cam bolts, there is no way to adjust the camber or castor on the Jeep without something like these adjustable ball joints or using shims.

I have never used Auto Zone steering or suspension parts so I can't speak to their durability. I do use Auto Zone of some parts, like radiators and alternators, etc.

thanks for all the help. Got under the jeep again today and also noticed the tie rod end on the driver side connecting to the pitman arm is loose as well.

So whats this about a zj v8 upgrade?!!! lol

Yeah, I like autozone because for one I get a 20% discount, there stuff is local and bought from just about anytown..I always get the stuf with the lifetime warranty...so If I am on a road trip and something breaks..chances of me being within 25 miles of an Az is almost gaurunteed, and I can have my replacement part in minutes. sure i could run Moog, but last I heard(not stating this as fact) there made in china now days...

Also, planning on a lift REAL soon like in august, to september. so if I replaces this all and get the alignment, Im going to have to have it re aligned after the lift too I am assuming? if so I might get all the parts, and do the lift and everything at once.

Japan not China

I stand corrected. Looked at moog hubs last night. Box said made in china 😠